Gaming & Culture —

Sony drops 20GB, 60GB PS3 models in Japan

Sony has tweaked the PlayStation 3 hardware and pricing since launch, and …

Both Sony and Microsoft have released multiple hardware revisions and packages since launching their gaming consoles, but today Sony has announced a bold step: the company is discontinuing the 20 and 60GB PlayStation 3 models in Japan, effectively ending backwards compatibility support in that country. In Japan the 40GB model, which will not play PS2 titles, will be the only unit available after the two other SKUs are sold out at retail, and will cost ¥39,980 ($341).

Since the PlayStation 3's launch, Sony has been trying to find the sweet spot in terms of price and features. The system was released in the US and Japan in 20GB and 60GB flavors that included backwards compatibility, what Sony at the time considered a "core value." When the system launched in Europe, the backwards compatibility took a hit as the new software-based solution meant lesser compatibility with some titles.

Sony then dropped the 20GB system in the US, although it was still available in Japan. After that, the 60GB model saw a price drop, with a new 80GB system being released for $600 with the now-limited backwards compatibility as well. Sony then released a new 40GB $400 model, along with a price drop for the 80GB model down to $500.

Are you confused yet? It's hard to keep track of what units are available in what regions, and what features come with what configurations. What is clear is that Sony has retreated from its strong position on backwards compatibility. That feature will no longer be available in Japan once stocks are depleted and the US system will only offer the software-based solution for playing PlayStation 2 and PSone games with the 80GB model. The 40GB model that is poised to be the company's flagship product has dropped the feature completely. This comes on the heels of Sony shipping the rumble-enabled Dual Shock 3, a technology it once claimed was "last generation."

The initially slow sales of the PS3 hardware has forced the company to drastically rethink what it was offering gamers, and at what price. Now, the console appears to be going through some growing pains as Sony struggles to find what consumers want out of the hardware, and how to offer that in the simplest and least expensive way.

The good news is that the 40GB system gives Sony one product to push, and the PS3 makes for a very capable Blu-ray player. With studios defecting from HD DVD, the PlayStation 3 may see a sales boost. Indeed, the PlayStation 3 figured prominently at both Sony's hardware and Blu-ray booths at CES.